[Cazzy]

Can anyone tell me if F1 Hybrid Seeds are the same as genetically modified seeds, by that I mean created in the same way.

[chriscross1966]

Define gentically modified.,.... Mutations randomly occur anyway and at a low level you get significant drifting between closely related species producing viable offspring that then reenter the general population of one or other parent.... The nastiness or otherwise depends on the gene function being introduced.

However in nature retroviruses transfer genes around as well which is the normal method of doing it in the lab (just with a bit more control).... So the only difference is the degree of predictive control.

F1's are just two pure strains crossed together in a single event to produce a reliable and consistent hybrid, but each time you want the F1 you have to cross the two pure strains, you can't just save seed and expect it to come true....

That said I wouldn't grow GM cos I'm not going to starve if my crop fails and I trust the big agroscience companies as far as I can spit them....

chrisc

[savbo]

or to put it another way - no they aren't



M

[DD.]

Thanks for putting it that way. I lost the plot somewhere!

[Salmo]

F1 seeds are not GM.

You are not likely to buy GM seeds here as they are not legal in the UK. If you buy from abroad they could be.

The production of F1 can be quite complicated. It all goes back to GCSE biology and the Austrian monk Father Mendal crossing his sweet peas.

If you cross two totally different parents the first generation (F1) will all be identical. That is very valuable, especially to commercial growers. The next generation (F2) will show all the varying characteristics of the parents, and probably some of the grandparents aswell. Hence the reason why it is no good saving seeds from F1 plants.

[Ice]

The plot thickens.

[Cazzy]

Thanks for the replies.

I'd read up a wee bit on each but knew you lot would have the quick answer for me.

[Cazzy]

I'm happy to order F1 Hybrids now. 

Its maybe not a good idea to read up too much on some things........... Monsanto GMO.......... Arggggg lol.

[gillie]

F1 hybrids are usually bigger and stronger than either of their parents as well as being identical.

Being identical is an advantage to commercial growers as they can harvest the whole of a crop at the same time.  It is less advantageous to home growers who may not want have their entire sowing ready at once.  

F1 seed is always more expensive than open pollinated seed as it is more complicated to produce, but there is nothing sinister about the process.

The problem with GMO in my opinion is that they breed characteristics into the plants which seem to be largely to the advantage of the producer.  For example, they have bred weedkiller resistant varieties which means you have to buy the correct weedkiller along with the seed. 

The upside is that GMO technology does not seem to be very effective anyway.

Cheers,

Gillie